Magnetic inhomogeneities in electron-doped manganites Sr 1-xCe xMnO 3 (0.10 ≤ x ≤ 0.30)

We report the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of electron-doped manganites Sr1−xCexMnO3 (0.10≤x≤0.30). The partial substitution of Ce for Sr stabilizes the perovskite-type structure with a tetragonal distortion. The samples exhibit an insulating behavior, except for the x=0.10 sample with a semimetal–insulator transition. The antiferromagnetic ground state is suppressed by the Ce-doping and a cluster-glass-like state appears at low temperatures as x≥0.20, originating from the competition of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic correlations. Moreover, the short-range ferromagnetic order has also been observed in the paramagnetic range. Our results approve the existence of intrinsic magnetic inhomogeneities in Sr1−xCexMnO3 system.